Measles outbreak spreads in Central Kentucky; officials urge vaccination

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Health officials say a measles outbreak that began in Woodford County has now spread into Fayette County.

According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, there are currently five confirmed measles cases in the state. Four of those are linked to the same outbreak, while a fifth case in Todd County is believed to be unrelated.

According to a release, the outbreak comes during what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls the largest measles surge in the U.S. since 2000, with over 1,200 cases reported nationwide this year. Measles outbreaks have also been reported in Mexico and Canada.

“When there are measles outbreaks in other states and nearby countries, it is not surprising to see spread to Kentucky,” said Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, in the release. “Measles can be very serious, but it is avoidable through vaccination.”

Health officials say measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air and can remain in an area for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Symptoms typically begin 8 to 12 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes. A rash usually appears three to five days later, starting on the face and spreading down the body.

According to the release, vaccination remains the best defense. Children should receive their first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine between 12 and 15 months, and a second dose between ages 4 and 6. Two doses are required for school attendance in Kentucky and are 97% effective against measles, according to the CDC.

The state has seen a drop in immunization rates. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services says only 86.9% of Kentucky kindergarteners were fully vaccinated against measles during the 2024–2025 school year—below the national average of 93%.

For more information and updates on measles in Kentucky, visit the Kentucky Department for Public Health measles website or the CDC measles page.